SE­RIES

it will be their last chances to play re­cre­ation base­ball when they be­gin the tour­na­ment against Mis­sis­sippi.

But un­til then, Call­away and as­sis­tant coaches Chris Mid­dle­brooks and Gary Thompson are fo­cused on in­stalling a par­tic­u­lar mind­set in the team to get them ready for this huge op­por­tu­nity.

“There are two things you con­trol in base­ball and that’s at­ti­tude and hus­tle,” Call­away said, “So we go out there and prac­tice hard.”

He also noted that the unity in the New­ton County base­ball scene is a strength for his team entering the tour­na­ment.

“Most of these kids have played to­gether since they were five and six,” he said. “You can be good with in­di­vid­ual tal­ent across the board, but if you want to be great, you have to be a team player and play for each oth- er in­stead of for your­self.”

Coach Call­away also wanted to shout out the other New­ton County team in the state tour­na­ment that was a blend of 13 and 14 year old play­ers. “They were pre­par­ing for next year while also giv­ing some 14-year old’s that weren’t on the top team a chance to play.”

The New­ton County Dixie Boys will play in the tour­na­ment kick­off game vs Mis­sis­sippi on Au­gust 5 at 1 p.m. where a win would see them play the win­ner of Florida vs. Alabama.